Designer Shopping Gets A Social Makeover

Net-A-Porter isn’t new to the online shopping game for high-fashion, but its latest move suggests the company is listening to the desires of its e-shoppers. Reports released Wednesday (May 6) said Net-A-Porter is revamping its mobile shopping service by adding a social element to the process of designer shopping.

Its new app, The Net Set, will launch in the Apple Store on May 13 via personal invite-only, and include a version for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Whereas the previous version of Net-A-Porter largely depended on other social media platforms for users to share their purchases and comment on their fashion finds, The Net Set includes commenting, recommending and sharing features right into the platform.

For brands, designers can create their own pages on The Net Set, reports said, making it easier to personalize their image and increase awareness to buyers. Net-A-Porter even developed a style matching system that assesses items and suggests what else a shopper may like. The system allows brands to interact personally with their shoppers through comments and other features.

According to reports, Net-A-Porter is looking to launch a “Style Council,” a group of influential style icons who will communicate with users and offer style tips.

Shoppers can also build their own pages to maintain lists of items viewed previously and upload images of new purchases. The Net Set introduces a new concept to the platform called the “Style Tribe,” a group of items selected by shoppers for particular looks, trends or themes. The Tribes allow shoppers to connect with other users with similar tastes.

Reports said that the new app and its social media angle are aimed at encouraging repeat use of the service and launching the company into the mobile buying trend emerging within fashion shoppers today.